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What survives today is a red sandstone construction, mainly dating from the reign of Edward I when a rebuilding and strengthening programme was initiated. Over the years the castle lost its defensive significance and fell into a state of decay but the main building was restored by Thomas Telford in the 1790s and retains rare examples of his work as an interior designer.

The castle was captured by Parliamentarians in 1645 and was eventually surrendered to the crown in 1660, once Charles II was restored to the throne. The king then granted Shrewsbury Castle to Sir Francis Newport of High Ercall in 1663. The castle remained in private hands until 1924 when it was acquired by the Corporation of Shrewsbury (Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council), who undertook a process of restoration and opened the castle to the public in 1926. Today Shrewsbury Castle houses the Shropshire Regimental Museum including spectacular collections of pictures, weapons, uniforms and other memorabilia from the 1700s to the present. If you head up to Laura's Tower built by Thomas Telford, you'll be standing on the original motte, the site of the first Norman castle.

Admission to the Castle grounds is free and all Children, Students, Shrewsbury Residents and members of the Shropshire regiments are admitted free to the museum. 

Contact the museum for details of winter opening times, October 2008 – February 2009